Archive for the ‘Home Organization’ category

Got old paint? Take it back to store

January 20th, 2009

From YourHome.ca:

Disposing of batteries, other hazardous waste easier under new plan

Theres a new way to throw out paint and other items left over from renovations.

There's a new way to throw out paint and other items left over from renovations.

New homeowner Sarah Daly was in a quandary over where to dispose of her half-empty paint cans.

She knew she could – but shouldn’t – throw the cans in the trash or her home recycling bin.

“We were at a loss of what to do with them,” said the 33-year-old Toronto resident.

Now Daly has a new place to take her leftover paint. Later this week, she and millions of other Ontario residents will learn the details of a $28 million program that will take the headaches out of getting rid of such waste and allow them to simply return it to the store.

It’s part of a new program aimed at diverting more than 32,000 tonnes of household and hazardous waste from Ontario’s landfills over the next five years.

“It’s a fantastic idea,” she said. “Everyone needs to know about it.”

Ontario’s Do What You Can program allows millions of people throughout the province to take back waste, like paint and used non-rechargeable batteries, to participating home renovation stores, such as Home Depot or RONA.

The program will later be expanded to include items such as aerosol containers, fluorescent light bulbs and switches that contain mercury, while a third phase will deal with waste such as contact cement and corrosive cleaners.

While the first phase of the recycling push began in July as municipalities collected more waste on specially designated days, it has taken time for Stewardship Ontario to get retail operations involved, Environment Minister John Gerretsen told the Star. A news conference is planned for Thursday to announce expanded retail collection sites and the program’s website.

By clicking on the website www.dowhatyoucan.ca and plugging in their postal code or municipality, consumers can find out which products they can recycle and where.

Stewardship Ontario, created in 2002 by Waste Diversion Ontario, runs both the Blue Box recycling and the municipal hazardous or special waste programs.

“We’ve only just begun,” said Gerretsen. “This is all about keeping hazardous material out of landfill sites and down the drain.”

Too much of this “potentially toxic” material is ending up in landfills, said Gerretsen. Unless people act now to clean things up, 70 years down the line “they’ll have to clean it up at a much higher cost,” he said.

The program will cost $28 million in its first year, a cost being borne by the makers or importers of paints, engine coolants and batteries, for example. The companies pay fees to Stewardship Ontario based on the amount and type of materials they sell in the province. At least 330 firms, including Honda and Procter & Gamble, are now involved in Stewardship Ontario.

The program does not cost the government a penny and not a cent from it will end up in government coffers, added Gerretsen.

“The producer will be held more responsible,” said Gerretsen. If companies want to add to the price of their product, then that is up to them, said Gerretsen. He said no one tells paint stores how much they should charge for paint. “They can charge the fee back to the consumer if they so wish.”

Under the program, Home Depot stores will take back spent single-use batteries and old paint. Some participating RONA stores will collect unwanted paint. Jiffy Lube and Pro Oil Change plan to take back used oil filters, empty automotive oil containers and antifreeze.

“If you buy a can of paint and there is some left over, take it back to the store,” Gerretsen said.

Once waste such as spent single-use batteries are collected by a store like The Home Depot, Stewardship Ontario will take the used products away. The batteries are transported to a processor. Steel and anything else that can be reused or recycled are removed. What can’t be used is disposed of appropriately, according to environmental disposal standards.

The manufacturers or importers of these products are obliged by law to pay fees to operate this program, but it also has public relations benefits.

“There has been a major cultural shift in their thinking,” he said. “People are more environmentally sensitive to these issues.”

For her part, Daly is thrilled she now has a place she can get rid of the 10, unfinished six-gallon tubs of paint she has in her home. Daly and her partner Nelson Fernandes bought an older home downtown. They are in the process of updating and find themselves frequent visitors to home renovation stores.

“Living downtown we don’t have a car. We can get to a Home Depot by TTC,” said Daly.

The first phase of the program allows for returns of paints and coatings and their containers, solvents such as thinners for paint, lacquer and contact cement, paint strippers and degreasers, used oil filters, oil containers of 30 litres or less, single-use batteries, antifreeze, propane tanks, fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides and pesticides.

The second phase – which Gerretsen hopes to launch this summer – will allow consumers to return more items such as aerosol containers, fluorescent light bulbs and tubes, switches that contain mercury, thermostats, thermometers and barometers.

A final phase will deal with items like contact cement, corrosive cleaners such as ammonia, and pool and photo chemicals.

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Posted in Cleaning, Environment, GTA, Home Organization, Maintenance, Renovations

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Parlour tricks for modern houses

January 20th, 2009

From YourHome.ca:

The room at the front of the house may have traditionally been a living room, but it can be turned into an elegant office or study area as well.

The room at the front of the house may have traditionally been a living room, but it can be turned into an elegant office or study area as well.

The seldom-used front room of your home can be a stunning study or hobby headquarters

Good home design takes into account the manner in which we live our day-to-day lives.

I have recently designed new homes where the family room, eating area and kitchen are situated in an open space that spreads across the back of the house.

This is the destination of choice for entertaining as well as family togetherness.

The room at the front of the house, originally a parlour or formal living room, is rarely used in this traditional role. Today, this room is given new purpose as a more personal space, one that complements your work or your leisure pastimes. Here are a few tips for setting up the new front room:

Be mindful of the flow of the home. 

Either located just off the entrance hall, or sometimes completely open to the hall, this space is the first area you see, and will reflect your style and your interests immediately to anyone entering the house. This does not mean it can’t be a work room or office if that’s what you want and need.

The front room featured here was designed as an office or den for someone who had a passion for travel. It blends seamlessly with the grandeur of the rest of the home, with a soaring, 14-foot ceiling and charcoal maple hardwood floor. Custom-styled, dark stained wood cabinetry allows for ample storage as well as elegant display space. The Silestone counters and glass doors within the unit link up to the kitchen materials, and are both practical and beautiful.

Show off the purpose of the room. 

If it’s an office, splurge on a fabulous desk. Hang illustrations, maps or other art work to inspire you.

You might want this to be a reading room, a solitary place to escape and pursue the pleasures of a good book. Find an exquisitely comfortable chair in supple leather or plump, down-filled cushions, and just the right lamp that can be angled to suit.

A hobby room may be cluttered, but it doesn’t have to be unsightly. If you’re a sewer, no need to hide the mannequin; dress it up. Turn the space into a kind of show room, with fabrics folded on open shelves, trims, buttons and thread lined up on display. Cover the walls with sewing pattern covers, blow up one or two Vogue designs. Make a long cutting table from a store-bought door or piece of fibreboard and paint it. Draw or glue down a tape measure along one edge.

A few imaginative touches will bring the room alive, keep you inspired and impress all your friends.

Front rooms rarely have doors. Don’t despair. 

Remember there is always the faithful room screen for those corners that aren’t ever going to be showstoppers.

Done up right, you may find that your well-planned personal space is so enticing that it will start to get crowded. I suggest you tell the rest of the family to forget it. You’ve got first dibs on the new front room.

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Posted in Home Organization, Interior Design

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Beat the winter blahs with a shot of colour

January 20th, 2009

From YourHome.ca:

Spice up your room inexpensively by painting walls with a new colour. Light walls will play up whats against them.

Spice up your room inexpensively by painting walls with a new colour. Light walls will play up what's against them.

Do you feel like the walls are closing in on your already limited space? Why not fight the winter blues and expand your space with colour all at the same time?

January can be a great time to update your living room or bedroom and with new shades and combinations for 2009 now available in stores, painting can be an inexpensive way to bring life to your home or apartment.

“Paint is one way to put your personality in your space in inexpensive ways. When I was living on my own for the first time the first thing I did was paint. As long as my landlord said it was OK, I did it and it always made me feel really, really good,” says Sharon Grech, colour and design manager with Benjamin Moore Canada.

And while experts generally say light colours always make a space appear larger, there are ways to use darker shades with success.

“With apartments and small condos people often feel that they can’t do dark colours. They think they have to do white or that it will make it look small, but it’s really about what’s in that space. Pick your colour according to the fixed things in that space, such as the floor, which you can’t easily change. If your floor is really light and your furniture is darker – if you put a white colour on the wall it draws so much attention to what’s against it,” says Grech.

It would seem colour trends might also be following the mood of the economy.

“With insecurity about the economy sometimes people feel better when they have neutral colours,” says Dominique Pepin of the international colour forecaster Color Marketing Group.

Some surprising colour combinations are also emerging, such as peach with fuchsia, mustard with teal blue and electric navy with deep slate. Pepin suggests choosing one wall and repainting it with a punchy colour. Add other colour through accessories, pillows, bedding or throw rugs.

Colour blocking is also emerging as a vibrant way to add interest to a room. This involves taping a pattern on a wall – stripes or rectangles work well – and then painting different colours or shades.

Black is also emerging as a trend colour that previously was only the domain of Goth teenagers. “I’ve been seeing it replacing brown,” says Grech, noting Benjamin Moore has a colour this year called Black Satin. “It used to be a taboo colour – you wouldn’t use it on walls, but it’s more an accent wall colour this year.”

In a room Grech created for Benjamin Moore recently, she did the trim in high gloss and the wall in matte but it was all in black. “It’s a beautiful dining room. We painted the ceiling with a light Gossamer Blue – most people will use black as an accent wall but it can be amazing in a powder room if you have good lighting.”

That said, colour trends are really all over the map. “When we’re talking about trends there are levels of trends. With neutrals – some are infused with other colours but a rich beige can be the right colour for a canvas when you’re in an apartment because you can change your cushions and other decor items,” says Pepin.

“Colour is stronger and more sophisticated with neutrals that are chalky colours – lots of off-whites on their own or paired with a strong colour,” says Shaun Noble, marketing manager with CIL Paints.

Other colours CIL is highlighting for 2009 include opal silk – a shade of green she says is inspired by jade. Other tones such as willow and aloe represent nature with marine blues and Palm Springs Tan, which is a soft wheat colour. And in the purple family a mauve colour has emerged called Rose Stone.

“Violets are very dusty and have a subtle feel that exhibits a sophisticated feel of luxury and refinement,” she says. “So you could pair a strong mauve colour with very pale neutrals and the accents could be off-whites.”

Also, warm neutrals such as Eldorado Tan, from CIL, which could be paired with a chocolate brown – or a mint green. “Neutrals this year are nurturing, naturalistic and balanced,” says Noble. “This combination creates an atmosphere of comfort and security – colours you can wrap yourself in.”

And of course the standard rules apply when it comes to using colour to maximize the feeling of space.

“Painting ceilings white or lighter tones makes ceiling and walls appear higher and conversely, if you want to create a warm space in a powder room, paint the walls and ceiling a dark colour and that creates a feeling of opulence and luxury,” says Noble.

If you’re unsure about taking a risk with a colour, try a tester. It is worth spending $5 on a tester pot, even if you’re just doing an accent wall. Tester pots are available at most paint and do-it-yourself stores, and Benjamin Moore will be offering them for order on its website in February.

And don’t forget the trim and ceiling. It may look OK to the naked eye, but be sure to examine it in good light because once the wall is done the defects in the trim and ceiling will be drawn out. In many cases the trim gets beat up more.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR DECORATING

• A paint job is only as good as its surface, so clean the walls. Wash them down with a damp cloth, check for any nail holes, fix any other dings or notches with spackle and sand down for a smooth surface.

• Get the right equipment: You will need drop sheets, painter’s tape, brushes and rollers, as well as a painting pole, if you are painting a ceiling or high walls so you don’t have to step on a ladder. To paint a stucco ceiling you need a high-pile roller – the fluffier the better.

• Try out your chosen colour on a tester spot and leave for 24 hours so you can see how the colour dries and how the light plays on it at different times.

• Make sure you have enough paint. Paint company websites offer calculators to help you determine how much paint you will need according to your square footage.

• Paint trim and ceiling first and the walls afterwards. It may seem counter-intuitive but when you paint the trim first you can make more mistakes and it’s easier to cut in the wall than the other way around.

• In a small space, paint trim and doors the same colour as your walls. This will make the wall look continuous and the room will appear a lot larger than it is.

• You may only need to do one coat, but 90 per cent of the time you will need to do more than one coat.

• For ceilings, CIL has a product that rolls on pink but dries white and you can see exactly where you painted and won’t miss any spots.

• If painting in a room with a window, start at the window and work with the light source behind you. It also allows you to follow where you have painted.

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Posted in Home Organization, Inexpensive Design Solutions, Interior Design, Renovations, Seasonal

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Getting down to business

December 1st, 2008

From YourHome.ca:

By: Colin McAllister & Justin Ryan of Colin and Justin’s Home Heist

Sometimes a small alcove in a home can be turned into a tidy, stylish office like this niche space, which is only about six-foot-square.

Sometimes a small alcove in a home can be turned into a tidy, stylish office like this niche space, which is only about six-foot-square.

Business, darlings, is booming; on the home front, at least. Sure, there’s a global hesitation and house prices have stabilized, but, when it comes to working under one’s own roof, more of us than ever before are doing it. As Canadians we (yes, we know – but permit us this indulgence as our quest for citizenship endures) have more space per household than most Europeans and more square footage than many Americans. So let’s use it properly.

Locating your home office

With a little jiggery pokery, even the most unassuming nook can be successfully commandeered. Space under stairs, or the landing between floors, is potentially perfect fodder. Even your mud room can be cleverly replanned to accommodate a desk, computer link and seating. Hey, one minute you’re unbuckling your outdoor shoes … next thing you’re checking share values!

Out of the closet

Walk-in wardrobes make great compact offices. Build a floating desk to instantly create the perfect work zone. Wire it to provide overhead lighting and install plug points – one above and one below your counter – to take care of standard office equipment.

Choosing furniture

Good home office furniture shouldn’t look like regular office furniture. Instead of selecting a filing cabinet with typically industrial aesthetics, use a regular drawer set to store paperwork. If you already have a small storage chest, make it “do the business” by installing easy-fit compartmentalized filing racks to provide ample stash space for all your requirements.

Bedroom business

Create a visibly “blurred” dual function in your guest room. Opt for a sofa bed (so there’s room for a desk) and allow your home business to blossom. Simply pack up office paraphernalia and unfold comfy overnight sleeping accommodation as required.

The business of dining

Could be that all you need to run an efficient home office is enough space at your dining room table to position a laptop. For best results, set aside a couple of drawers in your hutch to keep paperwork and ancillary home office stationary out of sight.

Planning a home office

Now you’ve decided where your home office is going, let’s look at how it’ll work on a daily basis. How much furniture can you squeeze in without congesting your space? Is there room for a regular-sized desk? Or will space dictate you need to buy one with smaller than standard proportions?

Whichever desk you choose, whether custom or shop-bought, ensure it has good ergonomics. Wrists need around six inches of “rest space” in front of the keyboard and elbows need at least 20 inches either side to articulate properly. Ensure legs can move comfortably underneath without feeling restricted, allow sufficient room for filing cabinets to open properly, and space plan so you can reach shelves or cabinetry without having to overstretch.

Organizing clutter

Don’t let office paraphernalia run away with itself or you’ll ruin productivity. When we’re putting together projects, we always include discreetly positioned baskets and drawers to organize every detail. Remember – a cluttered office reflects clutter in other areas of your life.

The softening effect

Incorporate non-work-related aspects (such as family photos or objects with sentimental value) to ensure you feel “personalized” in your chosen office corner. If everything is too clinical, output will be affected. If possible, try and locate your office near a window. A view toward the garden or a busy street will help you remain alert and focused.

Choosing colour

Dramatic mood can be comfortably added in certain home zones via confident decorating but we’d recommend that in the work-from-home environment you play things at a rather more sedate tempo.

Even public access Internet cafes know what they’re doing by styling venues in a low-key – and never over-the-top – manner. With visitors paying by time, it’s in their best interest to keep you focused on the job and not propelled out the door courtesy of distracting decor. Which means everyone is happy – you get more work done and they get the revenue.

Working on a similar principle to this we’d suggest creating a subtle background for your home office design. Almond shades, soft taupes, subtle yellows and light greens are organic tones that will relax you so your concentration remains fixed on the matter in hand – getting the job done. As is generally the case in compact spaces (whatever their function), it’s best to add colour via accessories.

Keep rooms style-conscious but remember that less is often more. Could be all you need is a lovely piece of art to provide limited distraction or a strategically placed scatter cushion. Or perhaps a brightly coloured ceramic to add a little visual punch in an otherwise corporate (albeit domestic) world.

Lighting

Setting atmosphere via lighting is always important, not least in the home office. Too much glare and you’ll distract a productive mood, too little and your workspace will feel dull.

Throughout our designs (whether TV or private commission) we’re all about a considered combo of “task” and “mood” lighting, and so, with this in mind, add a desktop lamp (preferably one with angle poise construction that can be twisted and directed as required) and sufficient overhead lighting to create perfect balance. And don’t forget to install one of our tried and tested instant mood fixers – the good old Canadian dimmer switch; 20 bucks of hardware for serious light level flexibility.

TIPS

Get rid! Don’t keep every scrap of correspondence that enters your home. Be vigilant about recycling – only retain what you actually need. Wherever possible, try and run a paper free office and consign what you can to (a backup) computer file.

Unify! Unify mismatched office furniture with a coat of paint or spray varnish. Co-ordinating in this way can create wonderfully streamlined effects.

Go wireless – even modest economic outlays can reap serious rewards. Rid yourself of that dangerous tangle of trip-hazard wiring and tidy up.

Hide remaining hardware: Printers, fax and photocopiers can easily hide behind closed doors to free up counter space. A reworked living room hutch or armoire can be compartmentalized to house an astonishing amount of office kit – not to mention all your paperwork – close at hand.

Keep it light: Leave corporate colours to the corporate world. Forget that dreary palette of dark shades and gloomy mahogany. And, while you’re at it, ditch the green and burgundy leather that typifies the ’70s. Choose a scheme that’s light and fresh so your office wakes you up instead of sending you to sleep.

Balance the budget. You DON’T have to employ a master carpenter to create a workable study. Careful selection of budget furniture (Ikea has a great home office department) or second-hand items will help create the perfect space while leaving you with spare funds for accessories.

Remember the comfort factor – if space permits, try and incorporate some elements of soft furnishings and treat yourself to a little relaxation between bouts of productivity. And remember – one good sofa or chaise is generally better than a squashed selection of chairs and stools.

Keep your dramatic predilections in tow and follow fashion – with care. Okay, while certain style mag editors insist you follow the runway trends of Paris and Milan, we – while certainly not shy to include fashion chez nous – counsel caution. It’s simple (and less expensive) to change your clothes on a whim, but just try changing your interior when the same editors announce that “green is the new black.” You’ll feel you’re living in a space that is decidedly last season!

Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan are the hosts of HGTV’s Colin & Justin’s Home Heist (Tuesdays at 10 p.m.). Go to hgtv.ca/homeheist and colinandjustin.tv for more on the Scottish design team.

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Posted in Home Organization, Interior Design, Living in Milton, Renovations

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What You Should Know Before Buying Major Appliances

March 3rd, 2008

Microwaves, refrigerators, ranges, oh my! Before making a big-ticket purchase, learn your options

5 Things to Look for in a Washing Machine
Top-loaders ($350 and up) are easy to use, since they don’t require bending over. Front-loaders ($600 and up) use 65 percent less energy and a third less water because their basins don’t completely fill with water. Note, however, that new, pricier top-loaders ($900 and up) rival the energy-efficiency of front-loaders.

Look For:
A machine that heats only the water it needs. “This is the most important thing that people overlook when buying washers,” says John O’Meara, manager of Standards of Excellence, an appliance showroom in San Rafael, California. The feature, which is becoming more common, saves energy by heating only the water you need rather than the entire household water tank. In general, “washers made now are one-third more efficient than those made seven years ago,” says Jill Notini, a spokeswoman for the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, in Washington, D.C.

A speedy spin cycle. The faster the cycle, the more water will be extracted, and the less time clothes will spend in the dryer. Look for “a high rpm (rotations per minute), which adds up to energy-efficiency,” says Alex Cheimets, editor of www.applianceadvisor.com. Go for at least 900 rpm. To save even more energy, pair the washer with a dryer that has a moisture sensor, which shuts off the unit when the clothes are dry.

Minimal water usage. Most conventional washers go through 40 gallons of water per cycle, so “if you do a load a day,” says Audrey Reed-Granger, a spokesperson for Whirlpool, “that’s more than 14,000 gallons a year.” Check the labels; some machines consume as little as 14 gallons a cycle.

Pedestals. Some washers (and dryers) can be equipped with pedestals ($100 to $200), which sit underneath the appliance and raise it up a foot or more for easier loading and unloading. Many include built-in drawers for stashing detergent, bleach, and stain-removal sticks.

An additional rinse cycle. This option, which dispenses extra water during washing, is great if you need to fight a stubborn stain or want to remove excess detergent that can irritate allergy sufferers or babies. However, it will increase your water bill.

Tip: If you put a 1,000-rpm (rotations per minute) model on the second floor without shock absorbers, “when it hits the spin cycle, the floor will shake,” says Whirlpool’s Audrey Reed-Granger. But don’t worry about a basement or the ground floor; they’re often reinforced.

5 Things to Look for in a Refrigerator
Top freezers ($400 to $1,200) are the most space- and energy-efficient of all the models; bottom freezers ($700 to $1,500) locate the refrigerator section at eye level and offer deep freezer storage. Side-by-sides ($800 to $2,000) have two full-height doors — a freezer on one side, a refrigerator on the other.

Look For:
A just-right size. Refrigerators are measured in cubic feet, but that number can be misleading, because it also includes space taken up by the freezer, the shelves, and the bins. For two to four people, an 18-cubic-foot refrigerator (with about five of those cubic feet devoted to the freezer) should suffice. Keep in mind that an ice maker will use about one cubic foot of the freezer cavity; some newer models locate the ice maker on the freezer door to save room.

Space-expanding features. Motorized shelves can be raised and lowered at the push of a button to accommodate the height of the items you’re storing. Elevator shelves, which adjust with the crank of a lever, are just as effective. Also look for movable door bins, as well as pullout shelves, which offer access to goods stashed in the back. Some units have caddies that hold soda cans and racks for storing wine bottles horizontally.

Easy-care materials. Stainless steel is sleek, but it shows streaks and fingerprints; faux stainless doesn’t. As for the interior, glass shelves are easier to wipe down than metal grills and have lips that contain spills, says Chris Hall, cofounder and president of the appliance-maintenance website www.repairclinic.com.

Energy efficiency. Bottom freezers use 16 percent less energy than side-by-sides; top freezers consume 13 percent less. You’ll use 14 to 20 percent more energy if you opt for a through-the-door water dispenser. The most efficient refrigerators bear the Energy Star label, which ensures that they use 15 percent less energy than federal efficiency standards require.

Water filters. Some appliances contain a water dispenser with a filter for the ice maker — ideal for minimizing lead and chlorine in ice and drinking water — in a through-the-door configuration or inside the refrigerator.

Tip: Some refrigerator doors open on the left, others on the right. Consider this when shopping around. If the layout of your kitchen changes after you purchase the appliance, see if you can have the doors rehinged.

5 Things to Look for in a Dishwasher
Although there aren’t different categories to consider, models vary in terms of capacity and special features. While some entry-level units start at $200, those with bonuses, such as hidden controls, can cost upwards of $2,000.

Look For:
The number of place settings it holds. Dishwashers with standard-size tubs fit 12 five-piece place settings. If you entertain frequently, consider ones with tall tubs, which store 14 place settings and can easily handle large stockpots, vases, and cookie trays. Ideal for tight areas, compact 18-inch models hold six to eight settings. Don’t feel guilty loading up these workhorses; they actually use less water than you would doing the dishes by hand. Isn’t technology great?

A delay-start option. This allows you to set the machine to turn on at a later time, like when you’re tucked snugly into bed. (Plus, in some areas, utility rates are lower at night.) If you’re concerned about noise, opt for an insulated machine or one that touts whisper-quiet capabilities.

A forced-air mode. Without forced air, which involves a fan circulating dry air downward throughout the drying period, “anything with a concave top — like plastic cups, bowls, and upturned wineglasses — will collect water,” says Chris Hall of www.repairclinic.com. “It’s a pain.”

Space-saving details. Some have tines that fold down to accommodate large platters; others have adjustable top racks or ones that can be removed.

Multiple cycles. Choose a sanitizing cycle for baby bottles or a gentle cycle labeled specifically for glassware. Some new units have a steam cycle to get baked-on grime off dishes while using less water. If you would like to run small loads or quick loads of glasses during a party, “look for dishwashers with short cycles,” says Whirlpool’s Audrey Reed-Granger. These can be as fast as 25 minutes, compared with more than two hours for normal cycles.

Tip: Most new dishwashers are so powerful that there’s no need to prerinse dishes. So you save time — and water.

5 Things to Look for in Ranges
You can control the flame with precision on gas models; electric versions heat food and boil water faster. For both, prices start at $500 and can cost as much as $10,000. Dual-fuel ranges ($1,400 to $10,000 or more) pair gas cooktops with electric ovens.

Look For:
Convection capabilities. This option, which uses a fan in the back of the unit to circulate heated air, cooks more evenly and about 25 percent faster. Convection ranges cost about $200 to $300 more than standard ones.

An easy-to-clean cooktop. Electric units have coil tops (for the easiest cleanup, look for ones with porcelain rather than ceramic or enameled-metal drip pans) or smooth surfaces that wipe down in a flash. The grates on gas models need to be removed before you start scouring. Some have continuous grates, which are sturdy and allow pots to be slid from burner to burner without lifting; the downside is that they’re heavy. Look for seamless edges and corners.

Warming drawers. Typically located beneath the oven cavity, warming drawers keep food warm before it hits the table. They can also serve as extra storage space when not in use.

Steam technology. Thanks to this feature, which can be used manually or automatically, you can infuse anything, from roasts to baked goods, with moisture.

Commercial-style units. If you’re an avid cook, check out these professional-looking ranges. They boast up to eight burners and can span 60 inches, so they’re ideal for preparing multiple dishes at the same time. Some have grills, griddles, and built-in woks. Note that you will pay top dollar for them.

Tip: Induction cooking is faster and more energy-efficient than gas or electric — but it’s twice as pricey. When a pot is placed on a burner, an electromagnetic charge generates heat; the burner shuts off when the vessel is removed.

5 Things to Look for in a Microwave Oven
Countertop versions ($30 to $250) can be placed anywhere; over-the-range models ($100 to $700) save space and often have lights and exhaust fans on the bottom, so they double as vent hoods.

Look For:
Power! A microwave’s power is measured by its wattage; the higher the wattage, the quicker food will cook. If you use your microwave mostly for reheating, a 600-watt unit should do the trick. But if you use it to prepare full meals, especially for a large family, opt for 900 to 1,300 watts.

A convection mode. If you entertain a lot and would benefit from a second oven, or if you want superfast cooking results, consider machines with convection technology, which uses a heating element and a fan to circulate air for roasting, baking, browning, and grilling in half the time needed by a regular oven.

Turntable size and function. Microwaves with 16-inch-diameter turntables are large enough for most cooks, says Jill Notini of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Look for turntables that rotate automatically for even cooking results and that can be removed for easy cleaning.

Sensors. If you tend to overcook or undercook meals, seek out units with sensors that shut off the microwave when food is done by calculating how much steam is being emitted from the food.

Childproof doors. Some microwaves have door locks (which can be activated and deactivated via the keypad) so curious hands don’t get burned on hot dishes.

Tip: Because they work so quickly, microwaves use two-thirds the energy of standard ovens. And they release minimal heat into the kitchen, so you may save on air-conditioning bills, too.

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Posted in Appliances, Food & Dining, Home Organization, Interior Design, Renovations

Clearing up the Christmas clutter

January 5th, 2008

Packing up after Christmas

It takes no less than a small army of helpers and countless hours of preparation (and an ample supply of duct tape and glue) to prepare for family holiday celebrations. From hoisting outside lights and pinning mistletoe overhead, to marathon-like shopping trips and speed-wrapping gifts; it’s a wonder the tasks get done in time! Yet after all the celebrations have finished, the eggnog carton is empty and the reindeers have left – it’s time for some heavy-duty household clean-up! This guide will show you how to pack up, recycle and return the home to its natural splendour.

Wrapping it up!

If mountains of torn gift wrapping paper have started to collect dust bunnies in your home – chances are it’s time to tidy up. Here are some ways to help you and your family plan a strategy to pack up the decor. Starting as early as the week after New Year’s, hauling down the Christmas tree and dissecting the light cords can begin!

• Start the packing process with the ornaments by grouping each into categories such as: fragile, glass or special collections. Give kids their own box of non-breakable decorations to wrap for next year. Use acid-free tissue papers to deter discolouration, and keep all breakables in hard cases (shoeboxes can easily hold 3-5 medium sized baubles). Label the contents in each box or colour-code boxes if you have multiple trees to decorate.

Tip: Use egg cartons to store Christmas tree balls, and keep bubble wrap close by for delicate pieces.

• Untying tree lights can be a painstaking task. Group coloured lights and single-coloured lights separately, and outside lights together. For packing, if you cannot navigate through the original light packaging, try tying light cords around an empty paper towel roll to keep it tidy.

• Artificial trees can be as prickly as a real spruce! Wear worn leather or close-pored gloves for extra-tough pines. Use yarn or twine to tie down sticky branches and avoid possible scratches while opening the box next year (trees can shift while being moved into storage). Wrap the tree base and place it inside with the tree, making sure all the nuts and bolts are inside. Finally, tape the set-up instructions to the outside of box to avoid mishaps next year.

• For any remaining household odds and ends, create a scavenger hunt where kids seek out remaining pieces like holiday candles, tea cozy’s or serving platters. Kids can pass them to the parents to wrap up as they find the remaining pieces!

• Store all boxes and supplies in a dry area of the house that’s free from any possible water damage (like leaky pipes or hidden drains).

Waste Not, Want Not

The holidays are as much about giving as they are about receiving, as we reflect and think consciously about our environment there are many ways to give back to Mother Nature during this decadent time. Here are some ideas to help you and your family give back by recycling some of the resources used during the holidays:

• Watch for local recycling listings to determine what your neighbourhood waste management centre can accept and keep these in a visible location (fridge or home office).

• Most resource centres can accommodate the following items: greeting cards (and envelopes), paper gift bags, wrapping paper and rolls, shopping catalogues, cardboard boxes, paper egg cartons, pop cans and bottles, aluminum trays that have been rinsed thoroughly and wine bottles (some beer or liquor stores can accept these in some provinces).

• Organic food recycling is available in some areas, which can help reduce the amount of waste leftover from entertaining.

• Local tree recycling is usually announced to areas ahead of time, be sure to mark the appropriate dates.

Planning Ahead

Consider some alternatives for next year’s planning to help reduce overall waste produced by holiday decorating.

• Purchase generic wrapping paper to wrap gifts as-needed throughout the year (great for crafters and kids). This reduces the amount of holiday-specific ribbons and bows needed too! Or use the comic pages of the newspaper for gift-wrapping (it’s both recyclable and funny!)

• Decorate a potted plant rather than a traditional Christmas tree, the plant can stay in your home throughout the year and this eliminates having to purchase an artificial or real tree altogether. Or if you do purchase a new tree each season make certain to mulch, compost or recycle it through your neighbourhood waste disposal.

• Sift through your greeting cards and pick out the most meaningful ones. Consider making a scrapbook, and besure to recycle the others!

• Consider re-using gift bags for the immediate family to use for gift exchanges year after year.

Being organized and environmentally conscientious for the holidays starts where you left off, just as opening up holiday boxes neatly packed with all the memories of years past can present as much of a surprise as the gifts bring themselves.

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Posted in Christmas, Cleaning, Holidays, Home Organization, Seasonal

Planning for the holidays: Ten things you should know

November 8th, 2007

planning for christmasAs soon as the snow begins to fall, the holidays are top of mind—decorations go up, carols play on the radio and you hit the stores in a shopping frenzy, which tends to last straight through to the New Year, leaving you exhausted and your wallet empty. This year, save your sanity by preparing for the holidays now with our Top 10 list of ways to get ready. Once December rolls around you’ll be relaxed and ready to entertain!1. Card CoolMake your holiday card list—then make your holiday cards! Craft stores and dollar stores stock up holiday supplies in the fall, so now’s the time to pick up pretty card stock and accessories, from stamps to ribbon to decorative decals, to make your holiday cards unique.2. Present SenseMake your list and check it twice so you can give great gifts this year. Finding inspired gifts that your recipients will love takes time, which you’ve still got right now! Next time you’re at your sister-in-law’s house, take note: does her toaster take two hours to heat up? Are her wine glasses mismatched? Do her slippers have holes in the soles? Pay close attention each time you see a person on your gift list and once you start shopping you’ll have plenty of useful gift ideas for everyone on your list!3. Who’s to HostBy mid-December, you always seem to get burnt out travelling to three holiday parties in one night—at opposite ends of the city. To save your sanity this season, consider hosting your own party so that you’ll get to see all your family and friends in one night without leaving home! Whether you’re hoping to host Christmas dinner or a holiday open house, send your invites now. By December, invites will be fast and furious and if you want to make sure your loved ones can come to your fete, make sure your invitations are the first they receive. This way they have time to respond and plan, especially if travel and accommodations are involved. Want to escape the hoopla altogether? Book your getaway now, before prices soar.4. Show StoppersLooking for a way to spend time with your family without having to cook a huge meal or entertain? Buy tickets to a holiday show (try a ballet production of The Nutcracker or a choir performing Handel’s Messiah). Tickets for these type of performances will go on sale in early winter, and picking up a block of seats is not only a good way to spend time with relatives or friends you don’t see often, but can also make for great gifts—so you’ll be done before you even starting stressing about shopping!5. Make and BakeInstead of bringing another bottle of wine or chocolates to each holiday party you attend, create a unique gift that your host will remember. Try preserves such as strawberry-rhubarb jam or peach salsa. Place them in sealed jars and store in a cool dark place until it’s ready to be gifted. Love Christmas cookies? Try baking one recipe every weekend until the holidays. Store the dough (or the finished sweets) in airtight containers and freeze for a few months. For a twist on fruitcake (and great for a holiday brunch) try zucchini-raisin or cranberry-lemon loaf.6. A Decorative PlanYou don’t have to string the lights to your roof just yet, but early winter is the time to plan out how you’re going to decorate this year. Now is the time to plan your decor and start stocking up on supplies. Want to make your own wreath? Head out on a hike while the weather’s nice to collect pretty coloured leaves, nuts, twigs and berries you can dry before use. Want to sew a new tree skirt? Head to your local fabric store and choose your fabric, and ask a sales associate for help with a pattern—they’re happy to help you with a long-term project.7. Plant Your TreeInstead of chopping down another Christmas tree, only to have the needles fall off mid-December, plant your Christmas tree outdoors this year. Fall is the ideal time to head to the garden stores for end-of-summer sales, especially on a small fir, pine or spruce. Then, find an ideal spot in your yard where you can watch your Christmas tree grow for years. Or, pick up a large planter box and pot the tree, so that you can keep it right outside your window and enjoy it while you’re having breakfast. Add lights and secure shiny, weather-durable ornaments or red velvet bows with wire gauge. It sure beats hauling the old fake fir out of the basement.8. Class ActionSign up for a class that you can turn into a gift-giving idea. Try a pottery class (then make letter ornaments for each member of your family), a knitting class (try scarves or slippers), or a sewing class (yoga bags, tea cozies, shoe bags or wine bags are easy and popular gifts). Not only will you have a chance to not think about the stressful holidays for a few hours a week, you’ll have half your shopping done before others have even started.9. File HighHoliday issues of magazines are a great source of inspiration when it comes to hosting, cooking, baking, decorating and gift ideas. But by the time those magazines come out, and you rip those pages out, it’ll be far too late. Head to the library and look at back issues of December issues of your favourite magazines. Photocopy pages you like and then pick up a three-ring binder from your local office supply store. Hole-punch each of your inspiration pages and use dividers to create sections: Baking, Cooking, Crafts, Decorating, Gift ideas, etc. Use sticky notes to give yourself reminders (i.e. Gift for Susie, Bake for Office Party).10. Take NoteFor the ultimate way to be prepared, keep a holiday notebook with you at all times. Pick up a small book that comes with a pen loop, and slip it into your handbag. Always changing purses? Buy one for each. Then, make a heading at the top of each page (Gift ideas: Mom, Appetizers: Party). Whenever you get inspired, jot it down. Then, when you’re ready to start your shopping, you’ll have your lists ready to go!

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Posted in Christmas, Holidays, Home Organization, Parties, Seasonal

Keep Your House Clean

October 28th, 2007

Keep your house clean

The only thing better than finishing cleanup duty? Not having to do it again for a while. These techniques will make your efforts last longer.

Keeping the Kitchen Clean

Cabinets
Set jars of liquid or jelly on coasters, or line shelves with nonadhesive cork liner. When drips occur, just replace the coasters or the lining.

Countertops
To repel stains on countertops, twice a year apply grout sealer (available at hardware stores) to tile, and stone sealer (also at hardware stores) to stone countertops. Follow the package instructions.

Instead of using wood cutting boards, switch to plastic. Since wood shouldn’t be sanitized in the dishwasher (wood can warp when wet), it can harbor bacteria, which gets on knives and can invade your food-prep area. Pop plastic boards into the dishwasher after every use to kill germs.

To make cleanup faster when you cook, cover countertops with sheets of wax paper, parchment paper, or butcher paper before preparing food. Juices from meats, chicken, and fish never hit the counters, so there’s no need to disinfect. When finished, crumple up the paper and toss.

Freezer and Refrigerator
Place a box of baking soda in the freezer and another in the refrigerator to absorb and neutralize smells; replace them every three months. Alternatives: a mound of charcoal; coffee beans in a bowl; or a cotton ball soaked in vanilla extract and kept in the refrigerator until dry.

Every month or so, dump ice cubes from the trays and make a new batch. Stale ice traps odors, like those from frozen fish or meat.

Sink
Grind the skins of oranges, lemons, and limes in the garbage disposal with a handful of ice cubes. The rock-hard texture of the ice cubes sharpens the blades; the citrus scent of the grated peels clears the air. Or make ice cubes of vinegar instead of water. The vinegar will deodorize the disposal.

Stovetop
Reduce grease splatters on the stovetop and the hood by putting a mesh splatter screen over pans when cooking.

Keeping the Bathroom Clean

Shower
After showering, run a squeegee down the shower doors and walls in long, vertical strokes. (No need to use any cleaner.) Soap scum, mildew, and hard-water marks are less likely to materialize on a dry surface.

Spread out the shower curtain after use. Mildew grows faster in bunched-up folds. Another idea: Turn on the fan while showering to dissipate the steam in the room. That way, mildew has less chance to grow.

At the first sign of black mildew in tile grout, soak a cotton ball in bleach and dab it on the spot. In about 30 minutes, the mold will most likely be gone. Apply a sealant (available at hardware stores) to grout twice a year, following the manufacturer’s instructions, to prevent staining. Stone vanity tops also benefit from the application of a sealant once a year.

Toilet
Pour a cup of water and a splash of bleach into a plastic or porcelain toilet-brush caddy (metal-trimmed caddies tend to rust). From then on, your disinfected brush will be at the ready to swish the bowl anytime.

Tub
Before you throw away that empty can of peanuts, save the plastic lid and set it underneath a can of shaving cream to prevent rust from forming on the rim of the tub. Or brush clear nail polish on the metal ring around the bottom of the can to ward off rust altogether.

Smooth white paste car wax (available at hardware stores) onto a cloth and rub it on the sides of a porcelain-enamel tub, but not on the nonslip surface. (If you wax the areas on which you walk, they could become dangerously slippery when wet.) Not only will it leave a shine but it will also create a protective barrier against water-and-soap buildup.

Keeping the Living Areas Clean

Artwork
Before rearranging paintings on walls, slip on white cotton gloves. Natural oils from your fingertips can seep onto artwork, damaging the color over time.

Floors
Eighty percent of dirt in the home is the dry, tracked-in kind. Set a doormat of toothed, bristly material, such as Astroturf, outside the door to leave dirt and grit where they belong — outdoors. (Muddy shoes can stay out there, too.)

Slice wine corks into disks and glue them to the bottoms of furniture and heavy pottery, or stick on adhesive felt pads. Dust settles into gouges made by furniture on floors and turns into grime, making it tougher to clean.

Furniture
Keep a dusting cloth in various handy places throughout your living spaces — on a nightstand, in a coffee-table drawer — so you can grab it to dust furniture anytime you notice an accumulation.

Opt for patterned upholstery, which conceals dirt better than solid fabric.

Wipe pets with a microfiber cloth, a dry-cleaning sponge, or a specialty pet wipe each day to reduce the amount of dander on the upholstery.

Light Fixtures
Once a week, mist a few squirts of room deodorizer on cool lightbulbs. (A note of caution: Moisture can seep into the light socket and damage the bulb, so spray from about a foot or so away.) The next time you turn the light on, the heat from the bulb will activate the scent.

Walls
Arrange furniture six inches from walls instead of flush against them so there will be fewer smudges from bumping to tend to later. You’ll also have easier access to dusty corners that need a visit from a dust mop.

Window Coverings
Open and close window treatments (blinds, curtains, shades) often to displace dust from the fabric instead of letting it sit until you get around to cleaning it. When it falls to the floor, run a dust mop over the surface.

Keeping the Laundry Room Clean

Dryer and Washing Machine
Leave the lid of the washer open for at least an hour after using the machine to let moisture evaporate and discourage the growth of mold and mildew.

When you’ve accidentally left a lipstick or a crayon in the pocket of a garment, squirt a bit of WD-40 onto a cloth, then rub it on the oil-based marks inside the washing machine. One note of caution: WD-40 is flammable, so don’t use this trick inside the dryer. Instead, use a cloth drenched with water and dishwashing liquid.

Floor
Put a rug or a carpet swatch in front of the sink to sop up splashes when you hand wash items. A highly absorbent material, like cotton chenille, is easy to care for; just toss it in the washer. A rug made from a natural fiber, such as jute or sea grass, will conceal water stains.

Consider purchasing a small water alarm, which will alert you if the washing machine leaks or overflows. It sits on the floor, and a battery-operated sensor sounds when water touches it. Basic models sell for less than $20 at home-improvement centers.

Shelving
Stack liquid detergents, stain-removal solutions, and anything else that can leak in plastic bins or caddies to contain drips. Because these liquids are highly concentrated, drips can deteriorate the paint on shelves and the finishes on appliances.

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Posted in Cleaning, Home Organization, Maintenance